Posted By Gayle Simone, Sun Staff
For real hockey fans and die hard Boston Bruins fans - yes, we do really exist - I find myself checking the Bruins, NHL and TSN-Canada websites about 50 times a day to see which team has signed who - like yesterday I was so estatic to see the Bruins signed Jurcina http://www.bostonbruins.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=1750
- my only question is WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO SIGN BERGERON?
The new management looks like they are taking steps in the right direction to actually put a good team on the ice for this upcoming season - but again we have to wait to see if the goaltending stands up.
Which sorry to say - I don't think Toivonen and Thomas are the answer. Yeah, yeah, I know that Thomas held the team together last season when both Toivonen and Raycroft went down with injuries, but there is a reason Thomas has been an AHL lifer up until last season and Toivonen to me is to flashy. I want a solid goalie between the pipes not one that simply wants a highlight reel to show up on ESPN.
Last night I got the opportunity to watch my favorite Bruin in action - Cam Neely. NESN showed an abbreviated replay of the March 7, 1994 Bruins game against the Washington Capitals in which Cam scored his 49th and 50th goals in just 44 games -which is an amazing feat http://www.bostonbruins.com/history/highlights.asp
I miss the days of Bourque, Neely, Oates, and many more - but I think the wave of the future with Chara, Bergy (if they sign him), Boyes, Sturm, Brad Stuart, Jurcina and so on -is a step in the right direction... speaking of steps in the right direction -
glad to see that local boy Keith Aucoin signed a 2-year deal with the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes - but it's sad to know he will no longer be in Lowell
Hopefully the "new" Lowell Devils will give us someone to look forward to.
We may find out when the Bruins and Devils faceoff in their preseason match-up at the Tsongas on Sept. 17. The puck drops at 1 p.m.
Question is - are there any other true hockey fans out there who can't wait for the season to start?
Comments (3)
I also watched last nights classic Bruins game and for a few mins, I wished I was 14 years old again watching that team. Cam Neely was one of my favorite athletes of all time. I only got to see him play for a few years, but it was the best few years of my life.
Posted by chris w. | August 8, 2006 2:21 PM
Posted on August 8, 2006 14:21
Folks, we have got to stop living in the past. The Bruins need to take a "what have you done for me lately" attitude so true hockey fans can enjoy the team today and not wish for Orr, Bourque, Neely and the rest! When the management gets serious, I'll get serious!
Posted by ralph s | August 8, 2006 4:22 PM
Posted on August 8, 2006 16:22
I too am a B's fan from way back. I can remember in the early 70's when all of New England saluted the black and gold. It was a time when a half tank of gas got you a prized Bruins beer mug from Getty and all the players were household names. I can also feel some excitement come to mind when people mention the Neely years with a changing cast of characters that always seemed like they could win. Whether it was the teams with Janney and Joyce, Reggie and Moog or Oates etc...you knew with Neely and Bourque that the team was competitive. And this is where the missing key for the near future is.....Where are those two or three players that make anybody reading this feel like we can win any given night of the week?
Like most Bruin's fans I will watch 90% of the games this year, but I am not going to buy into the thought that Chara is going to make us a winning team (even though I will gladly admit I am wrong later in the seaon if he does). Where is our 90 point forward(s)? Where is our #1 goalie (neither has the credentials)? When the team stops stocking itself with 2nd and 3rd line players I will feel a heck of a lot better.
Last seasons free agent grab was a bust, I couldn't believe last August that some people actually bought into the hype.
I believe Bergeron will continue to develop into a very solid 2 way center, and Primeau (with good health) will give us the checking center that every team needs, but that offensive void created by the Thornton debacle is still giving me the willies.
I agree with Ralph....when the team gets more serious about winning and acquiring more talent, a lot of fans will get more serious too.
Posted by JesusSavesThorntonScores | August 8, 2006 7:22 PM
Posted on August 8, 2006 19:22